Dilemna: E38 or E30?!?

[Jaygo333]

Well, Today I saw one and wanted one.
An E38 that is. All fixed up and ready for
me to take it home. 1 problem though,
no money.

So here's my dilemna, E38 or E30.

My current car, '88 325is Bronzit is going through some tuneups and has some problems.

- I have to replace the front right passenger controller arm due to some accident with the wheel flying off whilst I was driving. - $500

- Theres a hole in my gas tank. Near the top of the tank though but nevertherless still there. - $???

- Replacing various ins and outs, bulbs, lights, plastic bumpers, buttons, etc. - $350 so far and counting. Expected to be over $600.

- Wheel Bearings, both in the back wheels need replacing. - $300 each. = $600

- Now for the tuneup, I have yet to replace my timing belt, flush fluids, general tune-up.
I haven't done that since I bought the car back in February. The belt I was assured was just changed, meaning 5K later, its time for its change. - $??? = I expect at least over $400.

- Tires. Treads are starting to grow thin - $450

And other things I forgot.
I know it will cost me time and money. The joys of an E30.

OR.

A clean, well maintained E38, everything replaced runs clean, even a filled up gas tank. The car was just fully maintained at some body shop.
The owner never came back to claim it. - $6000

Mind you these cars go for over 10K.

I do know the specs for the E38 are weak but I will get all the information including pics in the days to come.

So right now, thinking, should I sell my E30 for the E38 or just keep the E30, and hope for better days.

[Jaygo333]

And ohh ya, College Student and barely make $1000 a month so all these E30 goals will take time, a long long time to accomplish all.

[Rennsport]

take all the prices of maintaining your e30 and times it by 2 and you have an e38

[Charlie]

So, you have a hard time maintaining a relatively cheap BMW, and want to trade it for an abandoned E38 where parts break more frequently and cost 3x as much?

Sound logic.

-Charlie

[E30 Wagen]

where are you getting these numbers from? Those numbers seem kind of high.

I would forget about plastic bumpers and just fix the gas tank and the control arm and the timing belt. I'm not real sure what you mean by various "ins and outs."

In the long run, fixing the car you have now is always cheaper.

[Jaygo333]

Just wanted some advice, not bashing.

Thanks for the input, I am doing the maintaining first. Timing belt, fluids and controller arm are all being done before the end of this month.

[e30sd]

an e38 tuneup bill could make you cry. stay away unless you're familiar with the m60/62 family, hvac systems, electronic doodads, etc.

[Jaygo333]

^^
Thanks for the tip.

[Jaygo333]

1 can but only dream.

[Midnight Sun]

Those prices are really really high.

If you havent figured out how to maintain your E30 for cheaper, than I would avoid an e38 at ALL costs.

[Stu]

V8 E38/E39. Run.

[Yakinho]

Honestly, I haven't really had a problem with the E38, minus a power steering leak. Engine's been solid for the past 5 years. Maybe it's luck?

[cferb]

Just wanted some advice, not bashing.

Thanks for the input, I am doing the maintaining first. Timing belt, fluids and controller arm are all being done before the end of this month.

I see no bashing. An e38 is gonna cost you a boatload to maintain, not a good college student car. I might also add that as an e30 owner, I think you'd get bored of the e38 rather quickly if it was your only car. It's kind of the polar opposite. I'm sure it drives great for a 4k lb car, but it's not gonna drive like your e30, it's big and heavy, but it looks nice and would be comfortable.

I'm sure either car would be pretty solid, but if something were to go wrong on the e38, you'd be in trouble...

[TDE30]

V8 cooling components.

'nuff said.

For the college man on a budget: E30 > E38.

[Restoman]

The car was maintained at a "bodyshop" that would make my eyebrow twitch. The body of those cars are the least of the problems. Dream by all means its fun and a lot more realistic than actually buying one.